$50,000 average new car prices are here to stay

As if 2025 wasn't an odd enough year for car buyers, Cox Automotive data suggests that 2026 is already revealing an affordability issue for new vehicles. Tariffs and the threat of rising prices cajoled countless car buyers into finally making the big purchase, leading to the strongest market in years. U.S. 2025 new-vehicle sales GM: 2.83 million vehicles (+5.1% year over year); 17.3% market share Toyota: 2.52 million vehicles (+8.4% YoY); 15.5% market share Ford: 2.18 million vehicles (+5.6% YoY); 13 ...